ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland, June 17 (Reuters) - U.S.
President Barack Obama sparred with Russia's Vladimir Putin over
how to end the war in Syria on Monday during an icy encounter at
a G8 summit where divisions over the conflict eclipsed the rest
of the agenda.

Speaking after talks with Obama, Putin said Moscow and
Washington had differing views over Syria but agreed the
bloodshed must stop and that the warring parties should be
brought to the negotiating table.

Both leaders looked tense and uncomfortable as they
addressed reporters after about two hours of talks, with Putin
staring mostly at the floor as he spoke about Syria and Obama
only glancing occasionally at the Russian leader.

"Our positions do not fully coincide, but we are united by
the common intention to end the violence, to stop the number of
victims increasing in Syria, to resolve the problems by peaceful
means, including the Geneva talks," Putin said.

"We agreed to push the process of peace talks and encourage
the parties to sit down at the negotiation table, organise the
talks in Geneva."
Continued...